Play RPG Tsukuru Advance (J)(Mugs) Online

Game Overview

Ever wanted to make your own RPG but thought you needed a computer and coding skills? RPG Tsukuru Advance (or RPG Maker Advance, if you prefer) shoves that idea out the window—it’s a full-on game creation toolkit crammed into a tiny GBA cartridge. And yeah, it’s Japan-only, but that just adds to its weird charm.

You start by sketching out maps with these chunky little tiles—forests, castles, the usual RPG stuff—then drop in characters who spout whatever dialogue you dream up. The editor’s simple, but that’s the point: no menus buried under menus, just you slapping together a retro adventure during your bus ride. I spent way too long tweaking a villain’s dramatic monologue before realizing I’d forgotten to actually give him stats.

It’s definitely not as deep as the PC RPG Makers, but there’s something fun about the limitations. Your heroes will look like they stepped out of a SNES game, and the battles play out in that classic turn-based style. Half the fun is seeing what ridiculous stories your friends come up with when you swap cartridges.

If you’ve got a GBA and even a vague idea for a fantasy quest, this thing is dangerously addictive. Just don’t expect to make the next Chrono Trigger—unless your drawing skills are way better than mine.